Hello,

I'm wondering if someone can direct me to posts about replacing the struts on a 123 300TD? Mine are leaking so I assume they need to be replaced. A local dealer quoted me $380x2 for the struts, $24x2 for bushing repair kits, $182x2 for accumulators. Available from Germany. Almost $1200 for parts alone. I imagine the installation if I don't do it myself and there are no other problems will cost at least $600. Yikes.

Is there another solution? I called around for used parts and found that the price for the struts wasn't much different. I bought this car from a guy who knew a lot more than me at the time. A combination of my inexperience and his dishonesty have landed me here. Any suggestions about how to proceed are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Jared
1982 300TD
Vermont

Hey Jared! You might try Performance Products. PerformanceProducts4Benz.com
Their number is: 800.243.1220

Good luck!

__________________
Roc

'74 350SLC (Euro) (For Sale)
'01 CLK55
'02 Jaguar XK8
'04 E320 Wagon
'89 Ferrari Mondial T Coupe
'57 Volvo PV-444 (Vintage Racer in build) (For Sale)
'80 Mazda RX7 Enduro Race Car (For Sale)

Any input about the whole, "I buy my parts, the dealer/mechanic charges me another $20/hr for labor" deal? That one is hard to stomach.

$20.00/hr is cheap, cheap, cheap! In California, the going rate is between $45/hr and $75/hr. Good luck!

__________________
Roc

'74 350SLC (Euro) (For Sale)
'01 CLK55
'02 Jaguar XK8
'04 E320 Wagon
'89 Ferrari Mondial T Coupe
'57 Volvo PV-444 (Vintage Racer in build) (For Sale)
'80 Mazda RX7 Enduro Race Car (For Sale)

Goldie said 'another $20'... so your $45-$75/hr becomes $65-$95

Co-incidentally, $90/hr is what I paid last time my car was at the dealership... labour costs have risen since then, so I'm told.

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

That was $20 on top of ~$65 to $85...

300TD REAR suspension rebuild

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

If you cant do the work yourself- and many who thought they could not have done so becaue of advice learned here on this forum, then you really need to try and find a good independant MB shop. Look at the local shop arm of this forum. Accumulators are no more than $120 each- not $180 each. Struts do not go bad often- accumulators do. You may only need one. Take a look at the diesel forum and search "SLS" or "wagon self leveling system". I've had three wagons like yours, and you needn't spend a arm a leg in most cases to get it running and driving correctly.

Thanks to all for your replies. Actually, I should have it looked at by an independant MB mechanic. The guy who told me that the struts were leaking may not have know what he is talking about.

Best,

Jared